Wednesday, September 30, 2009

All That Glitters Website and Info Changes for October 2009


Here are the changes to look for on the All That Glitters website for October 2009:

This Months Special: 1.10ct Certed Demantoid Garnet

At only $375 for this gem, one cannot go wrong for a Certed 1+ct Demantoid!


This Months Gem News: Hope Diamond Mounting to be Re-Designed!

The famous Hope Diamond will undergo a re-design to honor the 50th Anniversary of its donation to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History.


Newly Faceted or Photographed Gemstones:

Three fairly large Zircons are available - 1 red and two pinks; all color shift to some extent. This color pink is being wholesaled by

some companies at about $150+/ct in the sizes we have. Our price is currently only $100/ct. The red one is somewhat rare in color.

A wonderful 2.22ct Oval Blue Tanzanian Spinel is up for grabs - a great piece rarely seen in the color and size.

740ct Light Yellow Green Spodumene crystal for the collector or cutter!

Three Natural Oregon Sunstones found in 2008 have been faceted - two can be described as an apricot or light orangey Topaz color, and the other is more saturated and is a nice reddish orange.

A 1.68ct Pear Aussie Multi-Colored Sapphire, also known as a parti-colored Sapphire (and very collectible) has just come back from the cutter.

Two very fine Natural Oregon Sunstones are in the possession of our Master Cutter - one has been completed and is just under 10cts; the other we are awaiting more information on. Visit the link above often to see if the photos have been posted; our goal is to have them up for viewing and sale prior to our departure.


All That Glitters Fighting SPAMMERS:

In order to fight spam, All That Glitters has removed our email address from appearing on our website. Our Intent to Purchase Form, being added to our Monthly Email List and anyone interested in sending email directly to us from our website, will be offered an image of alpha-numeric characters. Entry of the correct characters in the image will then send the Intent to Purchase Form, add the visitor to our Monthly Email list, or display our email address allowing the visitor to send us an email directly. For those on our email list, you already have our email address and this would only affect you should you wish to use the Intent to Purchase Form. Using PayPal directly on our site remains unaffected.


Customer Questions Regarding Payment by Credit Card:

We used to accept all credit cards directly even though our 85% wholesale/trade base paid by check or cash. Credit cards were very easy to accept when we had our TV Show and exhibited at shows that were open to the public. Due to the monthly costs and other associated fees with credit cards/bank charges, we stopped accepting credit cards directly to save money and not have to increase our prices. Our goal has always been to sell items below retail and provide our customers with fine quality at wonderfully affordable prices. We understand that one does not require a PayPal account in order to send funds via a credit card. We have been told by PayPal, that we can send an invoice (via PayPal) to a customers email address and the customer can then use their credit card to make the purchase. Simple and Easy! So if you do not have a PayPal account, do not be discouraged, as you can contact us and we can send you an invoice as described above.


All That Glitters Gemstones in GIA's Gems and Gemology Magazine Once Again:

An article on fading orangey Topaz will be in the next upcoming issue of Gems and Gemology Magazine, (published by GIA). This is one of several articles that has been written on unique gemstones that have passed through the All That Glitters inventory. Though the article is yet to be published, you can see some photos of the actual parcel that was studied by the Bangkok office of GIA, as well as a similar parcel whose color faded on exposure to light.

http://www.atggems.com/Photos_Misc2.htm#Color_Fading_Topaz

Though a very different color now, these beige colored gemstones are very brilliant and would make wonderful pieces of jewelry. The interesting story behind them, as well as the photos before/after along with the G&G article make these very collectible!


Sunday, September 27, 2009

America to Vote on New Setting for the Hope Diamond


Winning design to be revealed as part of Smithsonian Channel (TM) documentary to air in 2010


NEW YORK, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ --
The world's most famous diamond, the HOPE DIAMOND, will undergo a special re-design to honor the 50th Anniversary of its donation to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. Given to the Institution as a "gift to the American people" by legendary American jeweler Harry Winston, the Smithsonian Institution and Smithsonian Channel(TM) will celebrate the diamond's legacy by inviting the American public to vote on a new design for the stunning 45.52-carat blue diamond.

The voting will take place online from August 19 - September 7 at
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/smithsonian/hope.html. The House of Harry Winston has designed three possible settings -- each symbolizing modern Hope in America. The winning setting will be revealed during a press conference in Washington, D.C. this Fall. The Hope Diamond will be put on display in its new setting at the National Museum of Natural History, and
televised nationally as part of the world premiere of the Smithsonian Channel's "Mystery of the Hope Diamond" in March of 2010. The Hope Diamond will be returned to its permanent setting before the close of 2010.

Click the following link to view the sketch and design inspiration.
http://www.st-photoservices.com/blasts/HopeDiamondSettings.jpg

At 45.52 carats, the Hope is the largest deep blue diamond in the world. More than 50 years ago, jeweler to the stars, Harry Winston, purchased it from the estate of the deceased American socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. After touring the gem around the country as part of his famous Court of Jewels, Harry Winston donated the Hope to the Smithsonian Institution, sending it to
Washington, D.C. through the U.S. postal service.

In the Smithsonian Institution's world-class gem collection -- which includes diamonds worn by Marie Antoinette, an immense emerald owned by the Turkish Sultan Abdual Hamid II, and some of the world's largest rubies and sapphires -- the Hope is the most famous jewel.

The Hope has many unique properties that have puzzled experts since its discovery, and its extraordinary history gave birth to the alleged curse -- that all who owned or touched it met great tragedy.

The voting starts Wednesday, August 19 and runs through Monday, September 7 at http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/smithsonian/hope.html

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN NETWORKS
Smithsonian Networks (SN) is a joint venture between Showtime Networks, Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. It was formed to create new channels to showcase scientific, cultural and historical programming based largely upon the assets of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features original documentaries, short-subject
explorations and innovative and groundbreaking programs highlighting America's historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Visit Smithsonian Networks on
the Internet at www.smithsonianchannel.com.

ABOUT HARRY WINSTON, INC
Since 1932, Harry Winston's exquisite jewelry and diamond designs have inspired customers and connoisseurs. The history of The House of Harry Winston includes some of the most famous jewels in the world, including the Hope Diamond, the Lesotho, and the Jonker. With 19 retail salons worldwide salons in key locations, including New York, Beverly Hills, Paris, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong, Harry Winston jewels are an enduring icon of international glamour.
For more information on Harry Winston, please visit our website at www.harrywinston.com.

SOURCE Smithsonian Networks